CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.— Collapsing offensively is nothing new for Austin Peay football; in fact, it is becoming the team's calling card. They do well, they get close, and then something happens that ends that.

Saturday was no different.

For the first time this season, the Governors made the decision to give Timarious Mitchell the start at quarterback over senior Trey Taylor and saw a much improved offense that was keeping up with Southeast Missouri.

“I think he brings confidence to the offense,” said wide receiver Jared Beard, who had 92 yards in catches. “It was a new beginning. I feel like we just went out with a different kind of swagger.”

But in the third quarter, Mitchell took a knock that put him out for the remainder of the game. And with him went any positive production as Austin Peay (0-10) stumbled to a 44-15 loss.

“It was disappointing because I think he had a great first half and had an opportunity with being down just a couple of scores in a game that we had proved that we could score,” said third-year football coach Kirby Cannon. “I think the kids felt we had a good opportunity.”

Mitchell, who suffered a concussion is questionable for next week’s final game at Tennessee Tech.

Most of Austin Peay’s offensive yards were secured in the first half in which the Govs had 141 yards of total offense, compared to SEMO’s 121. In the second half, Austin Peay added 120 more, but Southeast Missouri had nearly 300.

“It was one of the better times we’ve come into the first half, but the second half was a state of nothingness,” said running back Kendall Morris. “I think we need to work on momentum and having a certain chemistry.”

Austin Peay were able to score on the opening drive, for only the second time this season. This time it came on a 13 yard pass from Mitchell to James Coleman.

A missed field goal kept the score 6-0 for much of the first quarter. SEMO’s running back Tremane McCullough broke away for a 51-yard run that set up the Redhawks for quarterback Dante Vandeven's 4-yard running touchdown that gave SEMO the 7-6 lead.

That lead didn’t hold up long with Kendall Morris powering his way down the field to set the Govs up for a Morris short-run score, but the failed 2-point conversion kept APSU from establishing a better hold.

A Vandeven to Tyler McLemore touchdown pass and Tay Bender’s 3-yard run put SEMO back in the lead 21-12 before field goals on both sides sent the game into halftime with the 24-15 score.

SEMO added a little distance with Paul McRoberts' reaching catch to push the Redhawks to the 31-15 lead that remained for much of the second half until the fourth quarter when most of the problems came out in full force for the Governors.

“When he (Mitchell) got hurt, everything just kind of went downhill,” Beard said. “You start this thing that is new, and, bam, it gets messed up.”

Taylor who was heading up the offense after Mitchell’s injury exit had a forced fumble that Southeast Missouri picked up for another touchdown. This was followed with a Will Young 5-yard run for the Redhawks that gave the 44-15 final.

“We flat out did not play well enough to win the game,” said coach Cannon.